18 JANUARY 1952, Page 13

COUNTRY LIFE

WE were crossing the moor by car when we saw two horsemen coming down from the skyline. They were rounding up sheep, controlling their dogs and making a good job of the thing. Their mounts were sturdy little Welsh ponies, as sure-footed as any animal can be. When we returned, an hour or so later, the ponies were tethered to the fence and a large sheep-float was standing in the road while sheep, were being loaded. This quick handling of struggling animals that must be between fifty and seventy pounds in weight is a delight to witness. The economy of movement makes it look so simple, but I know it is not. A year or two ago the sheep broke through into my garden, and I had to get them out. One obstinate creature insisted on heading into part of the hedge that would not give way. I got a firm grip on its wool, but I could not swing it round, and was forced to wait until the intruder saw the folly of sticking its head into the privet, and turned of its own volition.